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PATENTED MAY 12, 1908 E. GOBBE.

APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF PLATE GLASS,

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 5, 1907.

2SEEETSSHEET 1.

[728/ Z2277 zi'iraa ie 620% 56 PATENTED MAY .12 1908. I E. GOBBE. APPARAI'UE' -FUR THE MANUFACTURE OF PLATE GLASS. AEPLIUATION IiLED JUNE 5. 1901.

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.jieyezz for ES-P NT OFFICE;

EMILE G BBE, oi? JUMET; BELYGIVUMQ X ma tresses;inamaummcmvnfl,orrm'monsss.

No. sate-e3.

operation; of easting thesheets of' glas's-onf cast iron tables; andr-the ann ali b ofthe sheets of glass in intermittent eupe ling-fue' names; the construction-and l p ke'ep of whieh. are costly andwhieh'eon'snme alargequan-' tityoffuelg. I A t -In the, accompanying dfievfingr- .Eiguref 1 represents-a longitudinalsectioifthrbiigh a portion of the a ai-atusfin'accordanee with theinvenftion; l i'epresentsa continuationof the section shownhy Fig. 1. "Fig. 2 "is a horizontal section through the same;

.Fig'. 2-? is'a. con tinuation, ofthe'seetion shown by Fig 2. Fig; 3 represents a Crosssection lee on o -o' of 'Fig; 21 "Fig. 4 is a eon ti'miatio'n of the sectior'i sl'rown by F'i'gie'; Fig; *5- repres'ents a oross seetion on' the line -E"-F'of Flg. 2; Fig. 6 shows iletail views of a plateor bait to oooperate with-the sheet of glass; i v -'lhe;glass is melted in a thnkffnrnace a of which; only the" extremity which the glass reaehesfined end ready for as'ti ng'is shown. The. tank @cQmlmilniMts ,hy me ans of ,a

40 large-.zaperturel). with a shzfllhi'v reservoiit in wl'iicfihth'e highlyliquiclglasfs begins tocool. hfloatinghrulge d, ple'eed' eigainst the-aperture b ret ains theimpurities ooming to the surface ofthe melted glass.

be little of its' fluidity in the reservoir c, reaches a east iron tahlee'wh e're'it spreads uniformly and begins toset.

In err-lei" that the-glass maynot adhere to the table; al ul so that the lattei"maybe ableto withstand the reletively 'high tem ieratui e ottl e' liquid glass, it is" necessary to cool it,

whichyisefi'eet-ed by providing it withri-bs e/ntetin'g'}. thelwater contained "in a reservoir g; the temperature of the table may be regu- 's eiacationprLeueii haunt. Application flefl'imie '5, 190"]; Bel ihl No. 377,882.

The glass 'hav Patented. May 12, 1908'.

lated "at will merely. var" 'ing the level of the'water in the reservoir. t is obvious that the ribs f will be cooled toe-greater: extent in],

proportion as they are, more. nunersed in the water.; In addition to this,-thei'e; are pro vided between the ribs and imnlesgproximiq I to the table, metal conduits h throiffih whit:

water maybe'eaused to circulate ifileoesse in order'to increase the cooling efieot.

"It isimportant-fOr the success oftheop "eration; that it should b PQS-Sib-le to. bring the table exeotly to such a temperatin"e that the liquid gles's is able to how "constantly over it'without injuring it andwithont adhering': as the table Q and to .be :able to. "maintain It is uponthi's suit it atthist'emperature.

ably cooled table that the sheet of glasshecomes eonsistent; the'layer of glass as it spreads out rapidly loses its fluidity, ceases to flow, and begins to slide, being thus converted into a sheet j of glass which is still set to follow the traetional effort which :con-

stantly tends to draw it towards'the outlet fromthe gallery k as is hereinafter explained In order that the operation may be success fully carried out it is essential that the tem- 7'5 slightly melleable, but already sufficiently ,perature of the table e should not become too great, as otheiwise the glass would cease "to edvanoe because it would neither be ahle to flow, being too much set; not slide, see ng that glass adheres 'veryreadily to metals when they are sufiieiently hot, as is well known' to all glass workers. 1 This "point ponstitutes the rlinei-pal ohafac-te-ristic of the invention int e sense that it permits of i'ro- (lueinga'continuous'flow of a layer. of ass from theliquid state to the'solirlstetejwith j out shocks and-without a break, and this-in an exceedingly simple manner"; the flowl ig of the glass being replaced by a sliding of the sheet obtained as soon as the lattei' begins'to t' I 1 k 4 (I I In order that't-he sheet of glass obtained may be ot-a uniform thickness, and its upper face entirely plane and highl brilliant, it is essential that the sheet shou d-set' in a gallery heated to such atemperature that the upper surfaeeo'ftheplate glasfsin. 'rocies'sol iormationlremains liquid-while its ower face solidifies, this bein poor'conduetivitg 0 short "eriod-of t e lower see of the layer e1 glass sing-still sufiiciently'melleahle to-ex tend under the influence of the tractional efiort' b which it is drawn along, a drawing out of t e glass might occur which would reduce'the thickness of the sheet of the upper portion if the layer of glass were not suflihorizontality perfect, an consequently insure erfect p& the s set. little further on, lower portion of the sheet becomes entirely solid, it ceasesto be drawn out and the sheet may thenbegin to cool all over and to set on its upper face without any inconvenience. On leavmg the table 0 the sheet of glass slides over 'an entirel plane refractory sole plate l,.

where it comp etes its cooling and is at the same time annealed the templerature progressively decreasing from t e time the liquid glass reaches the cast iron table until tpe cold sheet issues at the extremity m of tie gallery k. This gradual and uniform cooling of the sole plate Z is obtained by arranging it on small piers n arranged in such a manner that cold'air may be caused to cir culate between them in the opposite direction to that of the movement of the sheet; this air enters through the aperture 0 and be ing drawn through the chimney q for the discharge of h'ot air, traverses the conduits p in zigzag fashion.

In order to facilitate the continuous sliding of the sheet of glass on the sole plate Z, the

' smal latter ma be formed of graphite slabs, or

.better stil itrnay be perforated so as to adrnit of sup lying compressed air beneath the sheet of g ass on closing the chimney g and on." lacing the aperture 0 in communication wit; ahlower:

It will be readily understood that air blown. in at a certain pressure will be able to balance the weight of the sheet of glass, and that the trz iciional. effort that it is necessary to exert in order to overcome the friction of the lass upon the sole plate will be very On the other hand, the ex enrliture of air will he insignificant, as it wi only be necessary to replace the air which in passing through the apertures r escapes through the small intersticesexisting between the sheet or glass and the sole lplate owin to defects in the planimetry. he sheet 0 lass thus obtained will reach the'tractor rol ers s in a i 'solid and already partially annealed condition; these rollers draw 1t towards thccxtremity m of the gallery which it leaves cold and so well annealedthat it may be out at once.

ical cooling of the portion ciently fluid to flow readdy and maintain the animetry of the upper face of when the" table 6.

roller s the whole weight of which acts upon the sheet of glass in-orderto facilitate its dislacement.

In order to insure a uniform and methodoi the gallery which contains the rollers s, the sole and the roof of this gallery may berna cast iron plates to and to having them intervals in which the cold lates zig-zag fashion and in the o rection to that of themovement 0 between air circuposite (iithe sheet this air is sucked through the chimneys a: and

as which is only necessary to open to a eater or less extent in order to exactly reg ulate the uniforml decreasing temperature of this portion oft 'e annealing gallery.

In starting the. apparatus it is necessary to Wait until the level of the lass in the melting tank a reaches the up er evel of the'casting The sheet 0 glass is then'started by means of a metal plate y provided on one side with an angle connected on the ot or side with long iron rods 2 (Fig. 6). This plate is introduced at the extremity m of the allery on the rollers s, which are rotated in t e opposite direction to that indicated angle piece of the plate y reaches the cast iron table 6 where it forms a barrier at which the liquid glass will sto When matters are so arranged the level 0 the glass in the taph a is raisedby rapidly introducing into it a certain quantity of composition or of broken glass; the, li ind glass will overflow onto the cast iron tab e e and will stop at the flange of the plate y towhich it will adhere, as the latter is hot. rotate the tractor rollers s in the direction indicated by the arrow 'i in order to brin the plate 3 towards the outlet from theiga llery and draw with it a continuous sheet of glass whichwill slide upon the table e, the sole plate Z in passing from the pasty condition to 'tl'lB'SOlld state before'comin into contact with the tractor rollers swhich will displace it towards the extremity m of the annealing gallery. having been started in this manner begins to.

issue from the gallery, it is detached from the plate y by drawing a diamond along it and a continuous sheet will then constantly issue from the apparatus. to produce with this apparatus a sheet of glass'having a width e continuous 11 al to th at of the casting table, and of indehnite'length.

As regards its thickness, this will remain constant so long as the level of'the glass in the 12d tank remains constant. Now this is readily provided for as it is only necessary to intro duce the composition in a continuous and uniform manner. In order to modify the thicknessol" the shoot, it will therefore only 125 be necessary to vary the level of the glass n late e of 70 iece or a flatbar, ands!) by the arrow 'i until the 90 It is then only necessary to then upon When the sheet of glass It is therefore possible if; nieh'cd glass, a shallow reservoir directly .55"coinnnlni'reilog with. the Teceptaolo, the

ss'mae the melting basin by accelelatin'g or retard ing the, iritioduoti'on' of the material to be meltedfor 'by causing the speed of rotation. of the rollers to vary. The sheet ofglass 6 thus obtained will be )olished andhi hly brilliant on its up er Sit e, as on this si c It will have retaiue the natural brilliancy of the fire, not huvin been tarnished by contact with a solid bo y. As regards the lower 10 surface of the sheet of glass, it will'be'less brilliant, owio'gto its contact with the cast iron table. It is therefore only necessaryto .polish this'face in order to obtain a perfect plate of gloss. Having now particularly describedand; ascertained the nature of my said-invention and in whatmanner the sameis to be perfornoed, I declare that what I claim is:

1. In an apparatus for the. continuous pro I duction of platWg-lass', a continuous" fusion and constant level tank, a shallow reservoir oircctly ('omi'nunicating with the tank,- a resting table at the inner terminal of the res-. (i'YUll' elevated above the bottom. of the latter and having means for bringing it to such temperature that theliquid glass-will constantly llow -thcrcovcr without adherence,

the glass lacing adapted to spread out over the table. and rapidly'lose its luidity to-cause so it to slide, and means for heating the glass after it leaves the casting table. 7

Z. in an apparatus for the continuous prodilution of plate f lass, a continuous fusion and constant love tank, a shallow reservoir direc ly 'com'municating at one extremity wit said tank. and a casting talilo at the innpr extremity off he reservoir, said table haw in its '11 ppc'r surface elevated. shove the bottom of the reservoir and provided with cool- M) ing means to temper glass flowing thereon 5on1"- ca use the glass to slide from the table in s'hcct form. r

:i. in an. apparatus for the continuous produslion. of plat-c glass, a receptacle for the conzni-in'ric-nting at its outer cxtrezrrity with flurcr-eplarlc, and acasting't-ahle a-t thc inncr extremity of the roservoir and elevated.

nu -e the |=:'ottom of said reservoir,- tho'glSLSS [lowing over the casting taole'in a state of In on npparatus'for the continuous pro-- .1r'tion of plate glass, a receptacle for the mclifd. p Iuss; a shallow reservoir directly depth of'thc. glass in the shallow reservoir dcp n l n upon the height of the glass. in .tho' ram .u'lc, a casting table at the hoof ('L\'- 1 ml. the sl-"mllow rosorwn providcdl i "h for-nus for cooling; the sin and lhr- .glare-youVin-u lluu vo ozr the top (iii-tho Hilde lwlllglj elm-n1 rd dilNW't' the bottom ofl he lvr-v. voil' and owans in! drawing the glass in (nth i tinuous sheet form over the-table and o'ulthaving top of the casting table being In the sane wur dly through t e apparatu --d\'iction of pjate directly communicating at its outer'extre' .1 and means for engaging and drawingtlie wardly from the apparatus. I

5. In an apparatus for the continuous pi? duction of plate glass, a rcceptaclefopt molten glass,v a-shallow reservoir. connnun eating with the receptacle and havingtheu' per surface of the lmtto 'rrthereof below t up or surfac'eof the glass in the receptacl an a casting table atthe inner term-malfh the shallow reservoir over whieh'the lass flows and is formed into a continuous s the upper surface of the table being'aho the bottom of the reservoir and the said'tabi means cooperating therewith for pre ventingthe glass from sticking theretol d 6. In an apparatus for the continuous p'r'o duction of plate lass-a continuous fusion" and constant-lev'e tank, a shallow "reser yo'irf directly communicating at its outer extrerhity with the tank and having the upper surface of its bottom below the level of the u' per surface of the molten glass in' the midi, and a rii irid or fixed casting tableat the inner termina of the shallow reservoir over which the glass flows and is cooled,-hut preserved in liquid flowing condition. t 7. In an apparatus for the continuous; pr duction of plate glass a continuous fusio and constant level tank, a reservoir dife'ctli communicating. at its outer extremity witii' said tank, a refractory sole plate, a rigid or fixed casting table interposed betweenitli 95 sole plate and reservoir, andat the'inner' t e minal of; the latter and means for -drawingft "a plate of glass over the t ahle-and-soleplate and outwardly" through the apparatus, the

horizontal plane with the I'sole'platel 8. In an apparatus for the continuous pro; duction of plate lass, a-continuous fusion and constant level-tank, a shallow reservoir directly communicating at its outer extre ity with said tank, a rigid or fixed casting table at the inner termihalof lthe esm- *1,- a 53ft j rcfractorys'olc plate continuing liiiflthe sa' horizontal plane from the table; andi'ne for drawing the late glass as formed 0 119 In an aoparatus for thekcontinu o sjpi" lass, a continu'ou fusion and constant love tank, a shallow reservoir it y with thetank, a rigidprifixed-castin lilo-located at the inner terminal of the r voir, a refractory sole plate oontinn'at oi' the table, means for'cooling the sole plate 120 pinto formed on the table andniiiwrmg it ontwardly-thropghthe apparatus 0 r3 thh table andplato. i' I .l,.(); In, an a )paratus for" the conti s production of date glass, a"contin uous fusion and constant evel tank, a shallow-reservoir ,4, canoes communicating with thetank, a castin table atthe inner terminal of the reservoir avin'g means'for supplying molten glass 'theretoi;

the table bein located at the inner termina of the means or-supplying molten glass and a refractory sole plate in continuation of the table-and having means to supplycompressed air beneath the sheet of glass moving thereover to reduce the ressure of the latter and the-friction thereo upon the sole plate.

12. In an ap aratus for the continuous production'of late glass, a casting table, means for supp ying fluid glass thereto, the ab e. be ng located at, the inner terminal of the means for supplying. molten glass and a refractoryperforated sole plate in continuation of the table and having means for supplying com ressed air thereto and beneath the s eet o lass to reduce the pressure of the latter and the friction thereof upon the sole plate.

13. In an apparatus for the continuous production of plate glass, a molten glass re- "'LePtacle, a reservoir communicating with sa d receptacle, and a rigid or fixed casting table at the inner terminal of the reservoir and having water circulating means, there-- under. a

14. In an apparatus forthe continuous production of p ate glass, a receptacle for the molten glass, a reservoir, a casting table in i the reservoir having ribsdepending from its a the sai lower side, and water oontaimng means into which the ribs project,

15. In an a paratusforthe continuous production of p "ate 'glass a'receptacle for the molten plas's, a reservoir communicating with; c receptacle, a CitStlIl" table in the reservoir havingdependiijig ri the casting table. i 1 16. 'In 'an a paratus for the continuous production of p ate glass, a receptacle for the molten glass, a reservoircommunicating with the said receptacle, a rigid or fixed oastingtable at the mner terminal of the reservoir, a refractory sole plate in continuation of the-table, an annealing gallery to which the'sole-pla'te leads, and means for engaging the sheetof glass and drawing it outwardly.

through the annealing gallery and over the tableand sole plate. I

17. In an apparatus for the continuous table being fsaid-means, a refractory sole] late in'contin- 'uationof thetablejan annea n gallery, the r castin s, and cooling conduit ,devices located between the ribs of casti table, means for sup lying molten production of plate glass, a. rigid or fixed.-

glass t ert0, the table being coated at the 'lnner terminal of said means, a refractory sole plate in continuation of the table, an anneahrigfigallery to which thesole. late leads,

and tree br devices in theannea 'ngf 'allery for. mo the sheet of lass towards the outer extre nfit ojr' said ga e'zyp, v 18 In angap fratus'for the continuous production "of;p ate glass, acasting table,

means for supplying molten glass thereto, the ocate at the inner terminal of top and bottom portionsiof the attenhaving air circulating and devices in the annealin igallerykior movin the sheet of lass towar s the outer. extremlty of said gal cry.

19. In an ap aratus for the continuous production of ate glass, a casting table,

meansfor su p ying molten glass thereto, a-

refractory so e 'plate 1n contlnuation of the! table, andan annealing galle the :top and bottom portions of the latter avin-g air cir- *culatin means.

20. an. ap aratus for the continuous production of p ate glass, a rigid orfixed; table, means for sup lymg molten glass t ereto, the tablejheingocated at the inner terminal of said Incas; a sole plate in "I continuation ofthetable, an anneahng gallery to which the sole late leads; and a vice disposed on the ta 1e to start inovement of the continuous sheet of glass at the commencement of the operation.

21.' In an apparatus for the lcontinuous production of and constant evel tank for the molten glass,

ate glass, a continuous fusion the glass being maintained atgai constant level in'the tank by the introduction there'- of into the'glassmaterial to beimelted, this material being introduced into the tank at a rate variable in accordance with the desired} thickness of the plate to be formed, a reservoir'--com1nunicating with the tankg-and'a rigidor fixed casting table at the inner t'er-- minal of the reservoir H 1; v '22. In an a paratus for the continuous production of p ate glass, a continuous fusion, and constant level tank or basin for the molten glass, a reservoir communicating with the tank or basin, and a casting table at the inner terminal of the reservoir and hav-. in the upper surface thereof at a distance be owfthe upper level of the glass in the tank or basin to determine the tiiiekness of the late of glass to be formed, t,ie glass flowing rom the-tank or basin to the table, and the thickness of the glass rendered variable by ,introducinginto the.tank or basin the glass material to be melted. v

23. In an apparatus for the production of I a, continuous sheet of glass, a fusion basin, a reservoir communicating with the basin, and a casting table at the inner terminal of the reservoir and hztving its upper surface above the bottom of the latter, the molten glass in the fusion basin being maintained at e level above the top surface of the table to determine the thickness of the plate of glass, the

thickness of the plate of glass being variable in accordance with the introduction of glass. 10 material into the molten mass into the basin.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my handin presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' EMILE GOBBE. Witnesses;

G. LEBON,

E. LEEDS. 

